Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Equator Design

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-08-07

Experience Level: 8+ Years (with emphasis on leadership and advanced design craft)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead creative teams and shape compelling brand experiences through visionary design direction, acting as a key player in both strategy and execution.

• Drive the development of brand identities, packaging systems, and integrated marketing campaigns from initial concept through final production.

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning among design talent.

• Serve as a strategic creative partner to clients, building trust through clear communication, confident presentations, and thoughtful navigation of feedback.

• Champion design excellence and craft across all touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and impactful consumer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "coach-player," requiring a blend of hands-on design execution and leadership responsibilities. The emphasis on "consumer experience agency" and "human behavior" suggests a strategic, insight-driven approach to design. The inclusion of "AI-assisted workflows" points towards a forward-thinking agency embracing new technologies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate strategic insights and business objectives into innovative creative platforms and design solutions for brands.

• Oversee and guide the creative output for packaging design, brand identity development, and omnichannel marketing campaigns.

• Mentor and coach Designers and Senior Designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering their professional growth.

• Lead client presentations, effectively articulating creative rationale, building rapport, and managing feedback to uphold design integrity.

• Establish and maintain the highest creative standards for projects, inspiring teams to deliver work that is both strategically grounded and beautifully crafted.

• Collaborate closely with Strategy, Client Services, and other departments to ensure cohesive and impactful brand experiences across all consumer touchpoints.

• Art direct photography, CGI, and other visual elements to ensure alignment with brand vision and creative direction.

• Explore and integrate emerging creative technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to enhance ideation, iteration, and production processes.

• Lead internal creative critiques to elevate the quality of work and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative leadership and hands-on design. The explicit mention of "CPG brands, retail environments, consumer behavior, and design systems" indicates a need for industry-specific knowledge in consumer packaged goods and retail marketing. The integration of "AI-assisted workflows" suggests the company is at the forefront of adopting new design technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Packaging Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in brand design, packaging design, or integrated marketing communications, with a significant portion dedicated to leadership and project management.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of leading creative teams and driving successful design projects from concept to completion.

• Exceptional craft and expertise across typography, layout, color, composition, photography, and visual storytelling.

• Deep understanding of brand identity development and the ability to build scalable design systems.

• Strong strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to translate business needs into compelling creative solutions.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and developing junior and senior designers.

• Excellent client presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative vision and rationale confidently.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Expertise in presentation software such as Keynote and PowerPoint.

• Thorough understanding of CPG brands, retail environments, consumer behavior, and integrated marketing principles. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with CGI and art direction for visual assets.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

• Experience in omnichannel brand thinking, spanning digital, social, and shopper marketing.

• Ability to art direct CGI for new product launches.

• Experience leading creative workshops with clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Person" section emphasizes soft skills like curiosity, humility, and collaboration, which are crucial for a leadership role in a creative agency environment. The "You Bring" section provides a clear baseline for required technical and experiential qualifications. The preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who are adaptable and forward-thinking regarding technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 8+ years of impactful design work, with a strong emphasis on branding, packaging, and integrated marketing campaigns.

• Demonstrate expertise in developing cohesive design systems that scale across diverse touchpoints (packaging, retail, digital, social, shopper marketing).

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the strategic rationale behind design decisions and the resulting business impact.

• Highlight examples of conceptual exploration balanced with disciplined execution and exceptional attention to detail.

• Present evidence of leadership, mentorship, and ability to inspire creative teams. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to translating strategic briefs into creative concepts and design platforms.

• Illustrate how you manage the creative process from initial ideation through final production, including any quality control measures.

• Provide examples of how you have mentored and provided feedback to design teams, fostering their growth and improving work quality.

• Showcase your methodology for presenting creative work to clients, including how you handle feedback and navigate discussions.

• Explain your experience with integrating new technologies, such as AI-assisted workflows, into the creative process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role, needing to demonstrate not just design skill but also leadership, strategic thinking, and process management. The requirement for "AI-assisted workflows" in the portfolio suggests a need for candidates to showcase how they leverage technology to enhance creativity and efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $106,013.02 - $116,013.02 USD Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health care plans with prescription drug coverage.

• Dental plan.

• Vision plan.

• Basic and supplemental life insurance options.

• Flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses.

• Health savings account (HSA) based on plan selection.

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• 401(k) Savings Plan.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and is specific to U.S. geographic markets, indicating a structured compensation approach. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering a wide array of health, financial, and insurance options, typical for a full-time role in a larger organization. The "working hours" suggest a standard work week but imply the need for adaptability common in agency environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Experience Agency / Marketing Services & Technology

Company Size: Global network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries.

Founded: Marks (part of Propelis) has a legacy of 150+ years, with Propelis providing global support.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead and mentor a team of Designers and Senior Designers within the creative department.

• This role involves close collaboration with Strategy, Client Services, and potentially other specialized teams (e.g., content, consumer connections).

• The structure emphasizes a "coach-player" dynamic, where leadership is integrated into daily design work and team development.

• The agency operates globally, suggesting potential collaboration with international teams or clients. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach rooted in a deep understanding of human behavior to inform design strategy.

• Emphasis on creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum, from brand design and packaging to content and consumer connections.

• Collaborative network model, leveraging diverse expertise across global studios.

• Focus on translating strategy into compelling brand experiences that are strategically grounded, beautifully crafted, and commercially effective.

• Embraces innovation, including the use of AI-assisted workflows, to enhance creative output and efficiency.

Company Website: www.MakeMarks.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Equator Design (operating as Marks) is part of Propelis, a larger entity providing scale and support. This structure suggests a company that values both specialized creative identity and the resources of a global organization. The culture is described as collaborative, human-behavior-focused, and innovative, with a strong emphasis on craft and strategic effectiveness.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Leadership / Creative Management. This role is a critical leadership position responsible for both individual creative output and the development of a design team. It requires a blend of advanced design expertise, strategic thinking, and people management skills.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a Creative Director, VP of Creative, or similar senior creative leadership role. They will directly manage a team of Designers and Senior Designers.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is significant, directly influencing the quality and strategic effectiveness of client brands. Their leadership shapes the creative output, client relationships, and overall perception of the agency's capabilities. Success in this role contributes to client retention, new business acquisition, and the agency's reputation for innovative design solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Creative Director or VP of Creative roles, taking on broader strategic and management responsibilities.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like packaging systems, brand strategy, or emerging creative technologies.

• Mentorship and Development: Significant opportunities to hone leadership and coaching skills by developing a team of talented designers.

• Client Relationship Management: Grow into a more prominent client-facing role, becoming a key strategic advisor.

• Innovation Leadership: Lead initiatives for adopting and integrating new creative technologies and processes within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role represents a significant step in a design career, moving from a senior individual contributor to a leader who influences both creative output and team development. The growth path is clearly defined within creative leadership and strategic client partnership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, within a studio environment. The description emphasizes collaboration and a physical presence.

Office Location(s): Chicago, IL (60607). This is a major metropolitan hub, likely offering a vibrant work environment and access to talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative studio setting designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, PowerPoint, and potentially advanced creative technology/AI tools.

• Opportunities for direct interaction and mentorship with a team of designers.

• Likely a dynamic agency environment with fast-paced project cycles.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week is the baseline, but the nature of agency work often requires flexibility to meet client deadlines and project demands. This implies a need for strong time management and prioritization skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is common in creative fields for fostering spontaneous ideation and team cohesion. The Chicago location is a significant business and design center, offering a rich professional ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to a panel, showcasing key projects, design rationale, and leadership experience. Expect to discuss your role, strategy, and impact on each project.

• Creative Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study may be assigned to assess problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and design execution under pressure. This could involve developing concepts or refining existing work.

• Team and Leadership Interviews: Discussions with potential peers, direct reports, and senior leadership to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and leadership approach.

• Client Presentation Simulation: Potentially a simulated client presentation to gauge communication and client-handling skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience in brand identity, packaging, and integrated campaigns, with a focus on strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness.

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored designers, led creative teams, and influenced creative direction.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your strategic approach, your specific role, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Craft: Ensure examples showcase exceptional attention to detail in typography, layout, color, and overall visual execution.

• Integrate Technology: If applicable, showcase how you've used or explored AI-assisted tools or other innovative technologies to enhance your work.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a compelling narrative about your design journey and leadership philosophy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Agency: Research Equator Design's work, clients, and values to tailor your approach.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be prepared to articulate your design process for hypothetical brand challenges, focusing on strategic insight and creative problem-solving.

• Refine Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your ideas clearly, concisely, and confidently, anticipating potential questions.

• Articulate Leadership: Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you foster creativity and growth within a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, focusing heavily on portfolio quality, strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and client-facing skills. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, leadership style, and the business impact of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is required, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for all aspects of design creation and manipulation.

• Keynote & PowerPoint: Essential for client presentations, strategic storytelling, and articulating creative concepts.

• Design Systems Tools: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for creating and managing scalable design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a Design Director in this role would likely interact with data and reports to inform strategy and measure impact. Understanding of how design contributes to business metrics is key. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design integrates with marketing automation and CRM platforms for campaign execution may be beneficial. Emerging Technologies:

• AI-Assisted Workflows: Specific emphasis on leveraging AI tools for ideation, iteration, visualization, and potentially production acceleration. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to explore these tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on core design software. The explicit mention of AI-assisted workflows indicates a forward-looking approach, and candidates are expected to be adaptable and potentially experienced in these newer technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human Behavior Centric: Design solutions are rooted in a deep understanding of how consumers think, feel, and act.

• Creative Leadership & Collaboration: Fostering an environment where ideas are shared, challenged, and elevated through teamwork and strong leadership.

• Design Excellence & Craft: Uncompromising attention to detail and a commitment to producing work of the highest aesthetic and functional quality.

• Strategic Impact: Design is viewed as a powerful tool for solving business challenges and driving commercial success.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Embracing new technologies, trends, and methodologies to push creative boundaries and improve processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Works closely with Strategy, Client Services, and other creative disciplines to ensure cohesive brand experiences.

• Coach-Player Model: Leadership is embedded in daily practice, with active mentoring and guidance provided to team members.

• Client Partnership: Builds trusted relationships with clients through clear communication, strategic insight, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive critique and open dialogue to elevate the quality of work and foster continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency culture emphasizes a blend of strategic insight, creative excellence, and collaborative leadership. The "coach-player" model is central, highlighting the integration of leadership into hands-on design work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Ambition with Commercial Constraints: Ensuring innovative design solutions meet client budgets, timelines, and business objectives.

• Leading Diverse Creative Talent: Effectively mentoring and motivating designers with varying skill sets and career aspirations.

• Navigating Client Feedback: Skillfully managing client expectations and feedback to maintain design integrity while fostering client satisfaction.

• Integrating New Technologies: Successfully adopting and implementing AI-assisted workflows and other emerging creative technologies without compromising craft or quality.

• Maintaining High Standards in a Fast-Paced Environment: Delivering exceptional creative output consistently under pressure and tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop strategic leadership and team management skills.

• Industry Trends & Technology: Staying abreast of new design trends, tools, and technologies, with a particular focus on AI in creative applications.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing expertise in strategic client partnership and account growth.

• Portfolio Diversification: Gaining experience across a wide range of industries and brand challenges.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by or mentor senior leaders within the Propelis network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior creative leader in an agency setting, focusing on balancing creative vision with business realities, team management, and technological evolution. Growth opportunities are geared towards advancing leadership, strategic impact, and staying at the forefront of design innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex strategic brief into a compelling creative platform. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach leading and mentoring a team of designers, particularly when facing creative challenges or tight deadlines?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance bold creative ambition with significant commercial constraints or client feedback. How did you navigate it?"

• "How do you ensure design consistency and brand integrity across multiple touchpoints in an omnichannel campaign?"

• "Describe your experience or perspective on integrating AI-assisted tools into the creative design process. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Equator Design and our approach to consumer experience and brand design?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative environment within a design team?"

• "How do you build trust and maintain strong relationships with clients as a creative partner?"

• "What are your thoughts on the role of data and human behavior insights in driving design strategy?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project, clearly outline the client's challenge, your strategic approach, your specific role and contributions, the creative solutions developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your design work (e.g., increased sales, improved brand perception, higher engagement rates).

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led teams, mentored designers, or influenced creative direction.

• Articulate Craft: Be prepared to discuss the design details – typography, color, composition, etc. – and why they were chosen to serve the strategy.

• Discuss Technology: Be ready to talk about any advanced tools or AI-assisted workflows you've used and how they enhanced the creative process or final output.

• Be Engaging: Present with confidence, passion, and clarity. Be prepared for questions and engage in a dialogue.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of strategy-to-creative translation, effective leadership, client management, and a forward-thinking approach to design technology. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a clear, data-supported narrative of impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Ultipro recruiting platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 8+ years of experience in brand and packaging design, leadership roles, and key achievements using keywords from the job description (e.g., "creative leadership," "packaging systems," "omnichannel campaigns," "client presentations," "Adobe Creative Suite").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best exemplify your expertise in branding, packaging, and integrated campaigns. For each project, prepare a concise case study detailing the strategy, your role, challenges, and outcomes. Ensure it showcases both your design craft and leadership capabilities.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice delivering your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic rationale, and impactful results. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you utilize creative technology.

• Research Equator Design: Familiarize yourself with their work, client roster, and company values. Understand their approach to brand design and consumer experience to tailor your responses during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.